§ MR. PARNELLSir, I beg leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter, of urgent public importance—namely, the extent to which the Land Act of 1881 has failed to carry out the intentions of Parliament and to satisfy the reasonable expectations of the Irish people; and the alterations necessary for the purpose of enabling that Act to fulfil their requirements.
§ MR. SPEAKERWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to give me in writing the definite matter to which he has now referred
§ MR. HEALYTo a point of Order, Sir—I wish to ask whether, when the right hon. and learned Gentleman above the Gangway (Mr. Gibson) asked leave to move the Adjournment a few nights ago, he was requested by you to bring up a definite statement?
§ MR. SPEAKERI have considered it my duty upon former occasions, when the same Motion was proposed to be made, to call upon the Member making it to bring up a definite statement to the Chair, because the Resolution of the House requires that the Motion made shall be for the discussion of some definite matter of urgent public importance; and, with the view of keeping the discussion to that matter, it is necessary that I should have the terms in my hand in writing.
§ MR. HEALYSir, I wish again to ask whether, when the right hon. and learned Member for the University of Dublin moved the Adjournment of the House on Tuesday, he handed to the Speaker a definite statement in writing?
§ MR. SPEAKERI have already stated that on both recent occasions when the Adjournment of the House was moved a definite statement was handed to me.
§ MR. PARNELLhaving accordingly come to the Table with his statement in writing—
§ MR. SPEAKERDoes the hon. Member desire to ask leave of the House to move the adjournment?
§ MR. PARNELLI do, Sir.
§ MR. SPEAKERIs it your pleasure that Mr. Parnell be now heard?
And there being many voices for and against—
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid: Is the proposal of the hon. Member supported by 40 Members?
Whereupon, a number of Members—less than 40—rising in their places—
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid: The hon. Member for the City of Cork cannot proceed with his Motion.
§
[The following is the Entry in the Votes.]
Mr. Parnell, Member for the City of Cork, rose in his place, and asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance; but the pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr. Speaker called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and less than forty Members having risen in their places, the House proceeded to the Orders of the Day.